Chapter 92 A thrilling episode in an exotic setting
That brief but heartwarming "incidental honeymoon" in the Jiangnan water town, like a clear spring, quietly nourished the growing bond between Huo Tingxiao and Su Wanqing. After returning to Beijing, life returned to normal, but with a new layer of tacit understanding and warmth. Huo Tingxiao remained busy, but he tried to be home on time for dinner. Su Wanqing's studio also received more substantial projects, and she became more confident and composed.
However, their peaceful days didn't last long. A bombshell piece of news from the international design community, like a pebble dropped into a lake, shattered their tranquility once again. The organizers of the "Wings of Hope" public welfare design competition, in which Su Wanqing had previously won a prize, had partnered with a top European art and design school to formally invite her to Milan, Italy, as a representative of "Emerging Humanitarian Designers," to participate in a week-long international design exchange summit. She would showcase her work and give a keynote speech at the main forum.
This is undoubtedly a great honor and a rare opportunity! It means that her design concepts and talents have been recognized by the international mainstream design community, giving her the opportunity to speak on a higher stage and exchange and learn with the world's top designers!
When the news came, Su Wanqing could hardly believe her ears! The huge surprise and excitement made her speechless for a moment, and her hand holding the invitation letter trembled slightly. Xia Xiaoran was even more excited and screamed repeatedly, hugging her and jumping up and down: "Qingqing! This is great! You are going to Milan! On the international stage! Oh my God!"
After the joy faded, reality set in. Going abroad? To Milan? Attending an international conference? For Su Wanqing, who had never been abroad, this was both tempting and filled with a sense of unease and...concern. She subconsciously glanced at Huo Tingxiao, who was sitting on the sofa, reading a document.
Huo Tingxiao put down the documents, took the invitation she handed him, and read it carefully. His brows knitted slightly, but soon relaxed again. He looked up at Su Wanqing, whose eyes were gleaming with excitement and trepidation, and asked calmly, "Do you want to go?"
Su Wanqing nodded vigorously, her eyes sparkling: "I do! This is a good learning opportunity, and it will also allow more people to see designs that take soldiers into consideration...but..." She paused and lowered her voice, "Will the procedures for going abroad be very troublesome? And...on your side..." She was worried about his work, and also worried about her own safety traveling alone.
Huo Tingxiao was silent for a moment, his eyes scanning the sponsor's logo and the Italian Embassy's certification stamp on the invitation again, his gaze hard to discern. Then, he put the invitation down, looked at her, and said decisively, "Go if you want to. Let Assistant Chen handle the paperwork for you. Don't worry about safety."
His answer was crisp and clear, without any hesitation, as if it was just an ordinary business trip arrangement.
Su Wanqing's heart instantly calmed down, and great joy surged in her heart again: "Really? That's great! Thank you... Chief!" She was so excited that she almost wanted to rush over and hug him, but because Xia Xiaoran was still there, her face was just red, and her eyes curved into crescents.
Huo Tingxiao looked at her joyful expression, and the corners of his hard lips rose slightly, but a very faint, barely perceptible solemnity flashed in the depths of his eyes.
In the following days, thanks to Assistant Chen's efficient operation, Su Wanqing's travel documents went through exceptionally smoothly. Huo Tingxiao seemed to pay extra attention to her itinerary, personally inquiring about every detail of her flight information, hotel stay, and summit schedule. He even had Assistant Chen prepare an extremely detailed "travel guide" with safety precautions and emergency contact information, the rigor of which rivaled that of a military operation plan.
Su Wanqing was touched and a little amused, but her heart was warm. She knew that this was his way of expressing his concern and care.
The night before she left, Huo Tingxiao handed her a black phone that looked extremely ordinary, even a little old: "Take this. It's fully charged and has a week's standby time. It contains a unique encrypted number. In any emergency, press the red button on the side to connect directly to me." His tone was serious and unquestionable.
Su Wanqing took the heavy phone, feeling the weight and worry contained in it, and nodded solemnly: "I understand. Don't worry, I will be careful."
Huo Tingxiao looked at her deeply, then reached out his hand, as if wanting to touch her head. In the end, he just patted her shoulder gently: "Take care of yourself. If you need anything, contact me immediately."
The next day, under Huo Tingxiao's seemingly calm but veiled gaze of worry, Su Wanqing boarded a flight to Milan. This was her first solo trip, and she was filled with curiosity about the unknown world and a hint of nervousness, but even more so, anticipation for the upcoming academic exchange.
Milan, the capital of fashion and art, did not disappoint her. The ancient architecture, the design-filled streets, the pervasive artistic atmosphere... everything left her feeling new and exciting. The summit was packed with exciting events, with designers from around the world exchanging ideas and sparking new ideas. Su Wanqing, standing at the forum, spoke in fluent English about her design concept, which combined military elements with humanitarian care, to enthusiastic applause and attention from the audience. She felt like a sponge, absorbing new knowledge and inspiration like a madman, her horizons broadened.
After a few days, everything went smoothly. She followed Huo Tingxiao's "guidelines," trying to move as a group as possible and avoid unfamiliar and remote places. The black phone also stayed quietly in her bag.
On the final afternoon of the summit, there was free time for sightseeing. Su Wanqing and several newly-acquainted Chinese designer friends met up to visit Milan's famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and La Scala Opera House.
The arcade was bustling with people, lined with luxurious shops, and sunlight streamed through the glass dome, creating a bizarre and dazzling scene. Su Wanqing and her friends strolled and chatted, admiring the exquisite architecture and window displays, feeling relaxed and happy.
However, just as they passed through the arcade and headed towards a relatively quiet street nearby, preparing to go to the opera house, something strange happened!
A black van without license plates suddenly rushed out from the side, braked suddenly and stopped in front of them! The car door opened with a loud noise!
Several burly men wearing black jackets and baseball caps, whose faces could not be seen, suddenly jumped out of the car and rushed towards Su Wanqing with a clear target!
"Ah!" The female designer who was traveling with us screamed in horror!
Su Wanqing's mind went blank in an instant! A huge fear gripped her! She subconsciously tried to retreat, but the other party grabbed her arm! The force was astonishing!
"What are you doing! Let her go!" The male designer who was traveling with them tried to step forward to stop them, but was roughly pushed away by another strong man, and stumbled and fell to the ground!
In a flash, Su Wanqing suddenly remembered Huo Tingxiao's instructions! Her survival instinct made her burst out with tremendous strength. While struggling desperately, she used her other hand to frantically grope in her backpack!
Catch that! That cool black phone!
Without hesitation, she used all her strength to press the bright red button on the side!
Almost at the same moment she pressed the button!
"Bang! Bang!"
Two extremely abrupt, muffled sounds, like something exploding, came from not far away! The sound was not loud, but extremely clear!
Immediately afterwards, the burly man who had grabbed Su Wanqing suddenly groaned in pain, and his hand that was holding her arm suddenly loosened. He seemed to be hit hard by something, and he staggered backwards, an expression of extreme pain and horror on his face!
The other accomplices were also visibly stunned and looked around vigilantly!
During this brief period of chaos!
“Squeak—Gah!”
A sharp braking sound rang out! A seemingly ordinary dark gray car suddenly came across with an almost drifting posture, accurately blocking Su Wanqing and the van!
The car door opened, and two Asian men in casual suits, their eyes sharp as eagles, got out at lightning speed! Their movements were so fast that only shadows remained! One of them directly protected Su Wanqing, while the other rushed towards the strong men who tried to rush forward again without hesitation!
There were no extra words, only fierce and swift fighting moves! The dull thud of fists and feet colliding and the crisp sound of bones dislocating were teeth-grinding! Those seemingly fierce and sturdy men were completely powerless in front of the two men who suddenly appeared. In just a few seconds, they were knocked to the ground cleanly and groaning in pain!
The whole process was dazzlingly fast! From the moment the van appeared to the moment the crisis was resolved, it took only a dozen seconds!
Su Wanqing was still in shock, her face pale and her whole body trembling. The man who was protecting her carefully supported her: "Madam, it's okay. Please come with us in the car."
His Chinese had a slightly strange accent, but his tone was calm and professional.
At this moment, Su Wanqing noticed that a passerby in the distance seemed to be pointing at the tires of the van in panic - both front tires were inexplicably flat! The two muffled sounds just now...
Was it a gunshot?! A silenced gun?! Was it... someone protecting her?!
Her mind was in a mess, her heart was beating wildly, and she could hardly think. She could only let the man protect her and quickly got into the back seat of the dark gray car.
The car started up immediately and drove away from the scene smoothly and quickly. Through the car window, she saw her friend who had been pushed down earlier being helped up, looking in astonishment at the direction they had left. In the distance, she seemed to hear sirens.
Inside the car, the atmosphere was eerily quiet. The man driving was concentrating on his duties, while the man in the passenger seat was whispering something into an encrypted headset.
Su Wanqing clutched the now silent black phone tightly, her palms sweating. She asked in a trembling voice, "Who... are you?"
The man in the passenger seat turned his head, revealing an ordinary face with sharp eyes. His tone was respectful but distant, "Madam, we have been ordered to protect you. You are safe now. Mr. Huo will explain the specific matters to you first."
Mr. Huo... Ting Xiao! He arranged this! He's been... protecting her in secret?!
A huge fear mixed with an indescribable sense of security made Su Wanqing burst into tears. She leaned back in her chair, gasping for breath, her body still shaking uncontrollably.
The car did not return to her hotel, but drove into a seemingly ordinary private estate on the outskirts of Milan. After a strict identity check, the car was allowed to enter.
The manor was heavily guarded, and Su Wanqing was placed in a comfortable yet unfamiliar room. Soon, the black phone rang.
She picked up the phone tremblingly. Huo Tingxiao's low, anxious voice came from the other end, with a barely perceptible tension: "Wanqing?! How are you? Are you hurt?!"
Hearing his familiar voice, Su Wanqing's tears burst out again. She choked and shook her head, "I... I'm fine... I was just scared... Tingxiao, just now..."
"I know." Huo Tingxiao's voice instantly turned cold, filled with terrifying hostility. "The remnants of the Vulture! They didn't dare to take action domestically, and actually chased them abroad! It was my negligence!"
His tone was full of self-blame and anger.
"Those...those people..." Su Wanqing was still frightened.
"They're our people. A pre-deployed security team." Huo Tingxiao explained concisely, then changed his tone to an unquestionable command. "Listen, Wanqing, the summit is over. The original flight is canceled. You will stay in the safe house tonight and don't go anywhere. Tomorrow morning, someone will escort you directly to the airport and take a special flight back home. Do you understand?"
Su Wanqing nodded vigorously: "Yes! I understand!"
"Keep your phone open. Wait for me." Huo Tingxiao said, then hung up in a hurry, obviously going to deal with this sudden crisis.
After hanging up the phone, Su Wanqing slumped on the sofa, unable to calm down for a long time. Outside the window, a beautiful, exotic sunset shone, but her heart was filled with turbulent waves. For the first time, she felt so vividly the undercurrents beneath the surface of peace, and the dangers and complexities of Huo Tingxiao's world. It was also the first time she realized so clearly the extent to which he had protected her.
The next day, escorted by several expressionless but efficient "bodyguards", Su Wanqing arrived at the airport like a frightened bird, extremely nervous all the way. She passed through a special channel and boarded a flight that looked ordinary but had a clearly different interior.
More than ten hours later, the plane landed smoothly at Beijing International Airport.
When the hatch opened, Su Wanqing saw the familiar tall figure standing at the bottom of the gangway!
Huo Tingxiao was dressed in a neatly tailored suit, his face stern, his brow furrowed, his eyes filled with unconcealable anxiety and worry. He had clearly been waiting here for a long time.
The moment he saw Su Wanqing walking out of the cabin safely, his tense jawline relaxed slightly, and he strode forward.
Su Wanqing couldn't hold it in any longer. She dropped all her luggage and practically ran into his arms. She hugged him tightly, buried her face in his strong chest, and cried silently, "Tingxiao..."
Huo Tingxiao hugged her back tightly, his arms clenched tightly as if to rub her into his bones and blood. He whispered hoarsely in her ear, "It's okay... I'm glad you're back... I'm glad you're back..."
He repeated it over and over again, as if to comfort her, and as if to comfort himself.
The wind at the airport was strong, blowing the corners of his clothes. He hugged her tightly, as if guarding a treasure that had been lost and found again.
The romance and thrill of the exotic culture eventually turned into a heavy but reassuring hug when we landed back home.
All the fear and anxiety gradually subsided in his strong and warm embrace.
Su Wanqing knew that no matter how exciting or dangerous the outside world was, as long as he was there, she would be safe.
Huo Tingxiao was once again convinced that his world was full of thorns and he had to protect her more closely and more thoroughly.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
